What to Know About Tren De Aragua, the Venezuelan Gang Taking Over America

Tren de Aragua is a significant criminal organization that originated in Venezuela, specifically within the Tocorón prison in the Aragua state.

The Tren de Aragua gang initially formed over a decade ago, and has evolved from a prison gang into one of the largest criminal organizations in Venezuela, with an estimated membership exceeding 5,000. Its expansion has been facilitated by the Venezuelan refugee crisis, spreading its influence across Latin America and into the United States. The gang is led by Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known as "Niño Guerrero," who operated from within Tocorón prison until a significant crackdown in September 2023. Despite this, the gang's operations have continued, indicating a robust structure beyond its founder's immediate control.

Tren de Aragua is involved in a plethora of criminal activities including human smuggling, trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, illegal mining, and drug trafficking. They've been particularly noted for their human smuggling operations, exploiting migrant routes to infiltrate the U.S. and other countries. beyond Venezuela, Tren de Aragua has established a presence in countries like Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, engaging in conflicts with local gangs and even guerrilla groups over control of criminal enterprises. In the U.S., they've been linked to various crimes, including the shooting of police officers and operating sex trafficking rings.

The Biden administration designated Tren de Aragua as a Transnational Criminal Organization on July 11, 2024, marking a significant acknowledgment of the threat they pose. This designation allows for financial sanctions, cutting off members from the U.S. financial system. Rewards totaling up to $12 million have been offered for information leading to the arrest of key leaders.

In areas with high Venezuelan migrant populations, like Aurora, Colorado, there's concern over the gang's rising presence, though local authorities have downplayed these fears, suggesting isolated incidents rather than systemic gang control. After the NYPOST released an article concerning the gang storming an apartment complex, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman acknowledged that a Venezuelan gang that is most likely Tren de Aragua has taken control of several apartment complexes in the northern part of the city in what he called “a nightmare situation.” He also admitted that the city "lost control" of the gang infiltration "and we're working aggressively to get it back."

The transnational corporation-size criminal gang TDA took advantage of the ongoing border crisis and has been able to elevate gang members into the United States and beef up its presence in sanctuary cities nationwide where law enforcement is lax and proxy-controlled elected officials are.

Tren de Aragua represents a complex challenge for law enforcement due to its transnational nature, adaptability, and the socio-political conditions that have facilitated its growth. The gang's ability to blend into migrant communities and exploit legal and illegal pathways for expansion underscores the difficulties in combating such organizations effectively.